1226: Sighting the moon not following astronomical calculations

There is a big dispute among Muslim scholars concerning the timing of the beginning of Ramadaan and ‘Eid al-Fitr. Some of
them act upon the sighting of the new moon, because of the hadeeth, “Fast when you sight it [the new moon] and stop fasting when you sight it…”; others rely on the calculations of astronomers, saying that these scientists have progressed so far in the
science of astronomy that they are able to know when the lunar month begins. Who is right in this matter?

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly: the correct opinion which must be acted upon is that indicated
by the words of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Fast
when you see it [the new moon] and stop fasting when you see it, and if it is cloudy then
complete the month with thirty days.” That is the basis for determining the beginning
and end of Ramadaan by the actual sighting of the new moon. The Islamic sharee’ah
with which Allaah sent our Prophet Muhammad
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) is universal and everlasting, until the Day of Resurrection. (It is valid for every
time and place, whether worldly sciences are advanced or otherwise, whether there are
telescopes etc. or not, whether there are any people in the population who are able to do
astronomical calculations or not. Sighting the moon is something that people of all places
and times can do, unlike calculations which may or may not be within the reach of the
people, and telescopes which may or may not be available)

Secondly: Allaah knew what progress would be made in astronomy and
other sciences, but despite that He still said (interpretation of the meaning): “…
So whoever among you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadaan),
he must observe sawm (fast) that month…” [al-Baqarah 2:185] and the
Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Fast when
you see it [the new moon] and stop fasting when you see it…” So the beginning
and ending of Ramadaan are connected to the actual sighting of the moon, and not to the
calculations of astronomers, even though Allaah knew that the astronomers would develop
their science to the point where they would be able to calculate the positions of the
stars and heavenly bodies. The Muslims are obliged to follow what Allaah has prescribed
for them through His Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), basing the
beginning and end of the fast on the sighting of the moon. This is like the consensus of
the scholars, whoever differs with this and relies on calculations is shaadhdh
(“odd”) and his opinion cannot be relied on. And Allaah knows best.